When it comes to pubic hair, let us just say that there’s no “right” way to do it. There are so many options out there from shaving, waxing, au natural, or somewhere in between. What’s most important is that whatever route you choose, you’re doing it safely and keeping your body happy and healthy.
Today, we’re looking at how to properly shave your vagina. Well, not your vagina, but rather, your vulva. Your vulva is the area you actually shave. About 80% of people with vaginas between 18-65 report shaving some or all of their pubic hair. That’s a lot of people! That’s why it’s important that we understand how to shave down there safely, and also how to prevent razor burn on your vagina because no one has time for that. Read on to learn more.
How To Properly Shave Your Vagina From Start To Finish
You might be thinking, well, I shave the hair on other parts of my body, why’s this any different? The reality is that there are some important steps and pro tips for shaving pubes that will make your life 10x better and razor-burn free. Let’s take a look at how to shave down there.
Step #1: Trim your hair
Whether this is your first foray into shaving or if you’ve gone au natural for a while, it’s going to be important to trim the hair before shaving. It’s recommended to use trimmers to cut your hair down closer to a quarter of an inch. This will make the shaving experience much more comfortable and improve your razor life.
Pro tip: Once you start keeping up with shaving down there, this part you can likely skip!
Step #2: Clean and exfoliate the area
If you believe you need to exfoliate to avoid bumps, you can use a washcloth to remove any dead skin from the area. Take care not to over-exfoliate, which may lead to irritation, but by prepping the skin ahead of shaving, you’ll get a better, more comfortable shave.
Pro tip: The water and exfoliation help the follicles open up and allow for a closer shave.
Step #3: Apply shaving gel or soap
Don’t dry shave! It’s important to use something that is moisturizing so that your skin doesn’t dry out and become itchy post-shave.
Pro tip: Try this soothing, unscented gel to keep your skin feeling happy!
Step #4: Shave with the hair growth
Many people wonder which direction to shave pubic hair. Always shave with the hair growth so you don’t irritate the skin. Use a fresh blade and clean razor. The sharper edge means you don’t have to push as hard to get a close shave. It’s recommended to have a razor dedicated to this area, but if not, start first here so the razor is sharpest.
If you nick yourself, apply pressure and make sure to keep clean with warm water and soap. To err on the side of caution, focus on the external vulva areas and avoid the internal spots that may make injuring yourself more likely.
Pro tip: Go slow and don’t shave pubic hair blind! If you need to bring a mirror into the shower, go for it.
Step #5: Rinse and dry
Once you’ve finished shaving, be sure to rinse off all excess soap or gel and then pat dry. Your skin is freshly shaven, so you want to make sure not to rub it and cause irritation. It’s important to also clean the razor itself so bacteria doesn’t accumulate.
Pro tip: Try this antibacterial spray to make cleaning your razor fast and easy.
Step 6: Moisturize
Your skin is going to be dry post-exfoliation and shave. It’s important to moisturize the skin right away so that you can prevent itching and irritation. Use a high-quality, unscented lotion or a simple oil like coconut or argan.
Pro tip: Opt for 100% cotton underwear and avoid wearing tight clothes directly post-shave to prevent irritation.
How To Prevent Razor Burn on Your Vagina
When it comes to how to shave down there, razor burn prevention is one of the biggest concerns. Here are some important reminders so that you can avoid any irritation or ingrown hairs after your next shave.
- If you haven’t shaved before, trim the hair down so that it's easier to shave.
- Never dry shave! Always apply shaving gel or soap with soothing ingredients before you get started.
- Wait until near the end of your shower before shaving so your hair follicles have a chance to soften.
- Rinse the razor after each stroke to prevent clogging that can irritate the skin.
- Avoid fragranced body lotion.
- Wear loose, 100% cotton underwear and clothes after so your skin can breathe and recover.
- Soothe irritated skin by applying a little 1% hydrocortisone cream avoiding the inner labia and clitorus.
Take Care of Yourself, Inside and Out
At Kegelbell, we believe that it’s important that we as a culture normalize the conversation around our bodies and more importantly our vaginas. This means having real, honest conversations. Whether that’s about how to shave down there, or about how our vagina and pelvic floor impacts our daily lives.
We developed Kegelbell and all of our accessories to make people’s lives easier and to help them take back control of their body. Whether you’re just looking for a shaving gel, bacterial spray, shower holder or for a solution to your overall pelvic floor health, we’ve got you covered.
